Chapter 29: Shadows Among Us
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the academy's towers, bathing the courtyard in a pale, golden glow. To most, it was just another morning, but for the MC, it marked the beginning of another day filled with uncertainty. The events of the previous night still weighed heavily on his mind—the rift, the Riftspawn, and the red-haired girl who had saved him at the last moment.
Sitting by the window of his dorm room, he stared at the horizon, his hand absentmindedly stroking Shadow Fang's fur. The creature purred softly, its golden eyes fixed on him with concern.
"System," he said, breaking the silence. "What exactly caused that rift to appear? Was it a natural phenomenon?"
Analysis inconclusive. Probability suggests external interference. Dimensional Rifts rarely occur without an instigating force.
The answer left him uneasy. If something—or someone—was causing these rifts, then it was only a matter of time before things escalated. And with the system's warning about increasing anomalies, he couldn't afford to stay idle.
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A Chilling Revelation
He rose to his feet, donning his academy uniform and pulling his mask over his face. Today, he couldn't afford to let anyone see his exhaustion or the lingering strain from using the Eye of Origin.
"Shadow Fang, let's go. We've got to find answers."
The academy was already bustling with students by the time he arrived in the main hall. Conversations buzzed around him, but snippets of one discussion caught his attention.
"Did you hear about the frost in the northwest courtyard last night?"
"Yeah, some of the upperclassmen are saying it's an omen. Do you think it's connected to the rumors about dimensional anomalies?"
The MC's heart sank. The students were already noticing the effects of the rifts. It wouldn't be long before the faculty or even the Elite Division started investigating.
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Confrontation with the Red-Haired Girl
As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with someone—her. The red-haired Elite Division member. She eyed him suspiciously, her sharp gaze seeming to pierce through his mask.
"You," she said, her tone accusatory. "We need to talk."
He tensed, his mind racing. How much does she know?
"I don't have time for this," he replied curtly, attempting to sidestep her.
She moved to block his path, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "I wasn't asking."
The students around them began to notice the standoff, their whispers growing louder. He cursed inwardly. The last thing he needed was attention.
"Fine," he said, lowering his voice. "But not here."
She nodded and led him to a secluded area near the academy's library. Once they were alone, she crossed her arms and fixed him with a piercing stare.
"You were there last night," she said. "At the rift. Don't bother denying it—I saw you."
His mind raced for an explanation. How much should I tell her?
"And?" he said finally, keeping his tone neutral.
"And you clearly have no idea what you're dealing with," she snapped. "You could've died—or worse, gotten us all killed."
Her words stung, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he met her gaze evenly. "I handled it, didn't I?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Barely. That artifact you used—it's not something an ordinary student should have. Who are you, really?"
He didn't answer, and the silence stretched between them. Finally, she sighed and turned to leave.
"Fine. Keep your secrets," she said. "But if another rift appears, I'll be watching."
---
An Unexpected Encounter
As he made his way back to his dorm, the MC couldn't shake the feeling that he was being followed. He turned a corner and stopped abruptly.
A figure stepped out of the shadows—a tall man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore the robes of the academy faculty, but his presence was anything but comforting.
"You've been busy, haven't you?" the man said, his voice calm but laced with menace.
The MC's hand instinctively went to his dagger. "Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly. "Just someone who's… interested in your abilities. You've been hiding them well, but not well enough."
Panic surged through him. Who is this guy? How does he know?
"Don't worry," the man continued. "I'm not here to expose you. In fact, I might even be able to help you."
The MC didn't trust him, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I don't need your help."
The man chuckled. "Suit yourself. But remember—secrets have a way of coming to light."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the MC more unsettled than ever.
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A Grim Warning
That night, as he sat in his room, the system spoke again.
Warning: Surveillance detected. Unknown entities are monitoring your activities. Proceed with caution.
His blood ran cold. He was running out of time. The rifts, the Elite Division, the mysterious man—everything was closing in on him.
But he couldn't let fear paralyze him. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at Shadow Fang.
"We'll figure this out," he said softly. "No matter what it takes."
Shadow Fang nuzzled his hand, its unwavering loyalty giving him a small measure of comfort.
As the night deepened, he made a silent vow: to uncover the truth behind the rifts and protect those he cared about—even if it meant risking everything.